Chapter Text
"And that concludes our final performance. This has been Lyney and Lynette's magic show, and thank you all for being a spectacular audience!" The magician announced as they both took a final bow after ending one of their magnificent acts with a bang. The crowd roared, getting louder and louder as the rest of the crew joined them on stage. He took a moment to glance at the smiling faces all around the opera house, especially the loud applause from a certain outlander with hair of blonde.
With Paimon gleefully floating next to him, Aether clapped, and looked at Lyney, smiling from ear to ear. The magician gazed at his eyes, glimmering with joy. He's glad that he had slowly rebuilt his bond with him ever since that fateful day when he and his twin sister were discovered as Fatui members. He couldn't bear to see that glare full of hurt and disappointment, so he vowed to lay all of his cards on the table when it came to him. However, there is one exception— his budding romantic feelings for him.
It all started when Aether decided to help him clear Cesar's name as the infamous "Phantom Weasel." During the process, Lyney had become more open to both him and Paimon, revealing all the hidden secrets together, and how the trick— that led the magician twins' teacher to his demise— was executed. But because of those investigations, the magician felt some fleeting feeling inside of him whenever the outlander was around. He even shared fragments of his past to them after his commemorative show for Cesar. It was because he felt open around the traveler— he felt as though he could trust him.
At that very moment, Lyney had realized and never doubted one thing: he had fallen in love with him from the very start. He was glad the traveler and his companion didn't think about what giving Aether the Rainbow Rose meant way too much because once they connected the dots, the worst-case scenario would possibly be Aether avoiding him wherever he was. Thus, breaking the status quo once again.
Countless days went by, and as Lyney got closer to Aether, the more he'd slowly opened up to him. They'd both share their own experiences as brothers, and he even got to learn small crumbs about Lumine. There were other things he had realized about the traveler: He is simply radiant when up close, and he truly does resemble the stars. As the magician steals a glance at him whenever he could, he sometimes wondered, if only he could see himself through Lyney's eyes— if he could see all the reasons why Lyney was lovestruck in every way possible.
But as much as he wants to call the traveler his own, he knew he couldn't for two reasons: Someday, once he's finally reunited with Lumine, he'll have to end his journey in Teyvat and travel to another world, which means he'll leave Fontaine and never come back. Another reason would have to be his fear of rejection. He doesn't want to lose everything he has with Aether once more. He would do anything, and everything, to keep basking in his light, even if it meant bottling up his true emotions just for the sake of their friendship.
Now at the back of the stage, Paimon raced towards Lyney and Lynette, with Aether right behind her. "You guys were amazing!" the pixie dressed in white exclaimed. "That doppelganger trick you guys did at the beginning was soooo cool! At first, Paimon actually thought that it was Lyney on stage, but then, surprise! There were two Lyneys but the first one revealed to be Lynette all along." "Well," started Lyney. "We're twins after all, so pulling this trick off is no challenge for us," he replied. "Though I must admit, I did almost have a tiny slip-up in one of the tricks back there," Lyney states, bashfully scratching his head. Aether remarked, "I didn't really notice it myself, but whatever you did to handle the situation, you've done it professionally, Lyney." "Ah, Aether, you flatter me. It was nothing, really," Lyney responded in kind. He then notices the golden blonde burst out a giggle. It was one of the sweetest smiles he's ever seen, and he loved seeing him smile. He silently prayed, 'O Archons from above, please never let him lose that smile.'
Breaking away from his little world, Paimon's stomach suddenly grumbled. "Well, well, well. Look who's hungry," the magician teased. "Hey! Paimon had dinner before the show," she huffed. "But didn't you say you wanted dessert once the show was over?" Aether joined in the banter, making Paimon grumpily stomp in the air. "Argh, why is it that when it comes to ganging up on Paimon, it's always you two?!" "If dessert is what you're looking for," Lynette butted in. "Then, I know a place. Wanna come with me?" And boy, did Paimon quickly take up on that offer. Who is she to say 'no' to free food anyway? Paimon then happily glides next to her. "What about you, Aether? Care to join us?" The part-feline offered to the traveler. He politely declined the invitation. "Actually, there's something I wanted to tell Lyney alone."
Hearing that made his heart race faster than usual. 'Did I hear that right? He wants to tell me something? Alone? What if he actually likes me and confesses tonight?' Lyney felt his face redden a little, but then ducked and hid his head underneath his hat when his sister gave him a smug look. 'No, snap out of it, Lyney. You've talked alone so many times now. There's no way he'd confess.' Good thing he's quick enough to keep himself together. "It's alright, Lynette. You and Paimon can go on without us. After all, tonight's performance did make me feel full all of a sudden," he said. "But don't eat too much again like last time, alright?" he added, being the strict brother he is. "... Alright, whatever," she replied. "We should be heading out now. Come on, Paimon." And just like that, she and Paimon left the boys to their own devices. "How about a change of scenery?" Aether offered. He nodded in response. "Then, lead the way."
The spot that Aether picked out was just nearby the Fountain of Lucine— a meadow on a small hill where it's enough to have a full view of the fountain and the opera house. "Nice view we got here," the magician remarked as he takes a seat on the field. "I didn't know you had such a keen eye for breathtaking sceneries." Aether sat down right next to him and replied, "I guess you could say that's where 3 years of travelling experience gets you to, haha." His answer left Lyney astonished. "3 years... You've been out in the world for that long?" He asked, just to confirm if he heard that correctly. He nearly couldn't believe Aether traversed through Teyvat for so long, trying to find traces of his sister. "What can I say? There's almost no stopping for me in my journey," Aether sternly replied, a hint of sadness hidden in his voice. Lyney could tell right away that he really misses Lumine, and he would run to the ends of Teyvat just for her. "Which is another reason why I chose this place in particular," Aether added as he looked up to the sky.
When Lyney followed his gaze, he found himself lost in the vast ocean of stars. The traveler began, "I guess you know why I also picked this spot." "Oh, I remember now. You told me back then that you would go stargazing together every night," the magician answered. "Yeah. And now, every time I see the stars at night, I think of her, and I hope that fate will intertwine our paths once more, and we'll finally be together," said Aether as he lays down on the green blades of grass. "What about you? What do you think of when you look at the stars?" The blonde asked, leaving Lyney in complete silence as he thought of his answer. "Probably..." A few options come into mind— the day when he and Lynette found a home in the House of the Hearth, the shining spotlights whenever he's on stage, and as of late... "You," he quietly muttered. It took a second for him to realize what he just said. The traveler asked for clarification about what he whispered. "Huh?" Lyney's answer was more of a whisper under his breath, so he was relieved Aether didn't hear him clearly. "Oh- nothing, it's just... someone special..." Lyney trailed off as he watched the night sky again. He was too mesmerized by the sight to notice Aether averting his soft gaze to him, as though he was also one of his "stars". 'But what if I told you... the stars also remind me of you, lately?' the traveler thought.
After a long pause, the magician shifts the topic of their conversation. "Anyway," he began. "There is something you wanted to tell me here, right?" he asked the blonde boy. "Ah, right. Um..." He slowly sat up, carefully thinking how he should word everything out. If he's being honest with himself, he never wanted to tell him, but he knew that he had to. It'd be rude to depart from a nation without telling a friend, wouldn't it? "Lyney, I..." The traveler began, while the magician expectantly waits for his answer. He heaved a heavy breath, looked at the other in the eyes, and straightforwardly said, "I'm leaving for Natlan tomorrow."
From what he thought would be a confession of love was actually a farewell. It felt like Lyney's world has shattered into hundreds of glass shards as soon as he heard the word "tomorrow". The magician tried to protest. "Tomorrow? Already? But–" "As much as I wanted to stay here for a while longer," Aether cuts off his sentence. "I wish I could, but I... I can't, Lyney." "Oh" was the only response the other could let out. It's the first time he doesn't know what to say. He wants to convince Aether to stay a little longer, but he knew that family's also important to him. All he could do right now is to set his feelings aside and support the other's decision.
"If you really have to leave for Natlan, then go ahead. I wouldn't go against you in any way possible if that's your only means of finding her. Family is important to you, just as it is to me." From the way he sounded, Aether could sense that Lyney also didn't want him to go just yet. "But... why did you tell me just now?" questioned a confused and frowning ash blonde, hugging his legs. "You could've just come knocking on my door days ago, or write to me, even." "The past few days were... hectic," he confessed, though only half the truth. Lyney did have a point, Aether thought. He could've at least spared a few minutes just to pen him a farewell letter and commission the Adventurer's Guild to either hand it to any member of the hearth, or deliver it to their doorstep. However, not only was he unable to find time, but he's also afraid to confront him on how he feels about him on a random day with little to no preparations. Commission upon commission kept piling up in front of him, so his plans for a grandiose of a confession were tucked away to the side. To Aether, a performer like him deserves a confession that's just as magnificent and romantic as his shows. Unfortunately, it's too late to plan everything. He already booked a trip back to Sumeru and the ferry doesn't accept any further delays in the departure. Now could've been the best opportunity, but somehow, a force within holds him back. He also didn't want to lose what they had. He didn't want to mistake his flirtings or his rather different behavior with him as signs of Lyney's romantic intent towards him. But with the magician's expression just now... Does he wanna say something before he leaves? "You could tell me anything you want to say right now, Lyney. You promised there will be no secrets between us this time." The latter stayed silent. How could he tell him everything he wants to say when it would be a risk to do so? In his mind, what he wanted to say was, 'I love you, and I always will. No matter where you are in this world or another, I swear with my life, I'll always be by your side,' But what came out of his mouth instead was, "I hope you'll visit Fontaine again once you have the time."
The magician looks over his shoulder and sees Aether give him a reassuring smile. "Of course, I will visit you guys in the future. I promise," he says, placing his hand on top of Lyney's. This simple gesture made the magician blush a little as he looked away. In return, he subconsciously clasps their hands together, surprising the traveler, but he didn't mind about pulling away. It somehow feels fuzzy for Aether, given that no one's ever held his hand before— not like how Lyney's doing right now. He liked the sensation. He loved it.
Unfortunately, their sweet and quiet moment ended when Lynette arrived at the scene. "So this is where you guys have been," she said, crossing her arms as both boys retracted from each other's grasps and acted like nothing happened. "Lynette! I didn't expect you'd come this far to find us, haha," the magician said as he and Aether stood up. Apparently, his sister didn't buy his little act. 'Hmph, as if I didn't see you two holding hands just a moment ago,' she thought. Not long after, Paimon flew her way to where the group was. "There you are! We've been looking everywhere for you! Paimon was about to get worried," nagged the white fairy. "We knew you'd go somewhere else more secluded, but we didn't think it'd be this far," she added, stomping in the air. "So, I take it that you were discussing something important?" asked the part-feline to her slightly flustered brother. "Umm..." Lyney mumbled, knowing damn well she's definitely gonna have a serious word with him when they get home.
Lyney pulls out his pocket watch and sees it's already 8:00 in the evening. "Ah, would you look at the time!" He suddenly exclaimed. "Lynette and I should be heading home now. Thank you for sharing this wonderful night with me, O traveler from afar," he greeted the latter, his top hat in hand as he bows down. Aether couldn't help it but smile and lightly blush at him. He finds it cute every time he greets him like some distinguished gentleman. "The feeling is mutual, O great magician of Fontaine," the traveler responded in return.
As the twins were en route to their place, Lyney suddenly stopped in his tracks. "Oh, and before I forget," began the magician, facing Aether and Paimon once more. "Aether, would you let us have the honor of accompanying you both to Romaritime Harbor?" He offered. Lynette, who caught on what he's trying to do, played along. "I agree with Lyney. What's a better way to leave than to have everything come in full circle?" She added while giving her brother a smirk. "Ahem, uh, yeah, Lynette has a point. Since we're the first ones you met in this nation, we figured we should be the last ones you'll bid farewell to. What do you say?" He seconded his sister's statement.
"Paimon thinks it's a great idea," replied the white pixie. "What about you, Aether? Not only do we say goodbye to them lastly, but the aquabus ride would be much livelier," Paimon reasons out. The traveler gave it a brief thought and replied, "I think it'd be great to have you around when we leave, so I accept your offer." "Great! So... I'll see you tomorrow morning, then?" Lyney asked. Aether smiled at him once more. "Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow," he replied. They exchanged greetings once more, and went their separate ways.